Have PRIDE in Your True Self
Join us as we look back on the history of PRIDE and enjoy the amazing events!
Every movement starts somewhere. A big moment that sparks the people's need for change. The Seneca Falls Convention started the first Women’s Rights Movement in 1848. The murder of Emmett Till sparked the Civil Rights Movement for Black Americans in 1955. The Stonewall Riots sparked the Gay Rights Movement in 1969. The Stonewall Inn was a known gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. It was a mafia own bar for the gay community by offering them a space to be themselves and housed runaway and homeless gay youth for a fee. On June 28, 1969 police raided the inn, beat up patrons, and arrested people for violating the state gender-appropriate clothing statutes. Instead of backing down to the police harassment and discrimination they fought back, sparking a riot. The Stonewall Riots lasted for five days and motivated the Gay Rights Movement. The first anniversary of these tragic riots marked the first gay liberation parades in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. It was originally called Christopher Street Liberation Day, where in New York they walked down the same street where the Stonewall Inn was located. The parade was later called Pride to signify having pride in yourself to produce change.
Now, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community for being their true selves. In 2000, President Clinton named June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month,” and nine years later President Obama changed it to “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month.” June is designated as Pride Month to correlate with the Stonewall Riots. Every year there is a parade that celebrates LGBTQ+ rights with music, food, and true authenticity. Pacific shows its Pride in April, so we have the chance to learn about and honor the hardships of the LGBTQ+ community, and celebrate their bright futures of being able to be themselves. Pacific continues its tradition in recognizing the LGBTQ+ community this year with many different events hosted by the LGBTQ+ Resource Center through the Center of Identity and Inclusion.
We started off the month with a great kickoff event that was on April 5 on the DUC Lawn, with many different on and off-campus organizations tabling. There was music and giveaways at many of the tables. To top it off the San Joaquin Pride Center provided amazing entertainment from Drag Queens. They provided amazing performances that blew the crowd away. On April 9th, there was a Queer Comedy Hour in the LGBTQ+ lounge located on the first floor of McCaffrey where there was a special viewing of Pride at the Apollo who were providing their comedic talents to bring together laughter and community.
On April 19, the Center of Identity and Inclusion collaborated with San Joaquin Pride Center to provide an evening of entertainment with drag, music, food, and more at the Drag Queen Coffeehouse located in Grace Covell at 6pm. On April 22nd, at 6pm there was a mind opening Born This Way: All Queer Panel Discussion in the Presidents Room. The panel featured professionals, leaders, and community members from diverse backgrounds. This insightful event provided attendees with a wider mind into the life of a LGBTQ+ individual that is proudly and authentically themselves.
After a night of fun and an insightful panel, come wind-down a little bit and join us in the Center of Identity and Inclusion Main Lounge located on the first floor of McCaffrey on April 25 at 5pm for a Graduation Cap Decorating. Then, to end the month off with a bang the LGBTQ+ Resource Center is having a The New Black: LGBTQ Rights in African American Commnities documentary watch party where we will see the impact and struggles of not just those in the LGBTQ+ community, but those who are African American. We tend to blend things together, but it is important to still have the distinction of race because even those of color were not accepted in the LGBTQ+ community because of race discrimination.
So come join us as Pacific remembers the struggles and the history of the LGBTQ+ community, open our minds to what the LGBTQ+ community is today; have fun, and hope for the future where everyone is accepted no matter their background and identity.
Work Cited:
https://www.loc.gov/ghe/cascade/index.html?appid=90dcc35abb714a24914c68c9654adb67
https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/
https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/pride-month
https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/the-stonewall-riots